Recently, I came across an intriguing and thought-provoking paper by Fordham political scientist Jeffrey Cohen.
In his paper, Cohen challenges the prevailing theories on antisemitism and political ideology in the United States. While some believe that antisemitism exists on both the extreme right and left, others argue that those on the left are less antisemitic compared to those on the right. Cohen introduces a third theory, criticizing previous researchers for relying solely on self-reported political ideologies and excluding “don’t knows” from their analysis.
His findings reveal that mainstream liberals and conservatives in America are the least antisemitic, while the most antisemitic groups include the extreme left, extreme right, and low-information voters who often identify as “moderate.”
Cohen suggests that the mainstream elite in the US has been supportive of Jewish people since the 1950s. Individuals with mainstream political views who follow mainstream sources tend to align with this consensus. On the other hand, those who receive information from non-mainstream sources are more likely to hold antisemitic views. This includes individuals on the far left and far right, as well as those with ambiguous ideologies who feel disconnected from mainstream beliefs.
These findings have troubling implications for American Jews as increasing numbers of individuals turn to extremist or sensationalist sources for news and information. This trend has contributed to the rise in antisemitism in recent years, exacerbated by political figures like Trump and the failure of mainstream politicians to address extremism within their own parties.
It is evident that the erosion of trust in the establishment has led to a fragmented media landscape where outlets cater to specific biases rather than challenging them. This shift has left many feeling uneasy, especially Jewish liberals who face backlash in progressive circles that seek to exclude those who support Zionism.
Ultimately, the issues of antisemitism and political extremism are complex and multifaceted, with no easy solutions in sight. As the media environment continues to evolve, it is crucial for individuals to critically evaluate the sources of information they consume and remain vigilant against the spread of hateful ideologies.
